St. Genesius
THE FAITH JOURNEY OF
B
eing a performer and a comedian The opening night of the play may sound like a fun way to was a great success, with Emperor make a living. Diocletian in attendance. But at St. Genesius, an outstanding some point during the play, the Holy actor, playwright and comedian in Spirit touched Genesius. He was no late Imperial Rome, certainly did longer acting. have some fun for a while. But his “You fools, I wish to die a Christian,” career and life came to an abrupt Genesius said. When the other actors end when his work ultimately led asked him why, he said, “All my life I him to Christ. have been a fugitive, and only today Genesius was a comedian of some have I found God.” renown, but in the fourth century, Everyone, especially Emperor Christians were often discouraged Diocletian, laughed as Genesius spoke. from becoming actors because Genesius, standing in a pulpit designed ancient Roman comedy was highly to look like the goddess Venus, began sexual, crude and offensive. to preach to the audience. He told the In the year 303, Emperor crowd how he once hated Christians Diocletian launched what would be and enjoyed insulting them. He told the last great Roman persecution the crowd how he deserted his own against the Christian Church. So, family as a child because they were Genesius used the persecution as an Christians. opportunity to write a comedy about Christianity. He From there, Genesius addressed Diocletian, stating that thought it might attract the attention of the Emperor, he wrote the play to mock Christians, but had been converted increase his fame, and make him some money in the on the spot during the course of the play, by the power of the process. Holy Spirit. “I now know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Genesius approached leaders of the Christian true God, the Light, the Truth and the Mercy of all who community in Rome and presented himself as a have received His gift of Baptism,” Genesius said. “O great catechumen seeking Baptism. He was then invited into Emperor, believe in these mysteries! I will teach you, and you a period of instruction in the faith, in order to learn the will know the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God.” beliefs of the Christians. He was particularly taken by Diocletian was furious and stopped the play, having the idea of Baptism. But at the time, he had no plans to the troupe arrested and beaten, while Genesius was convert to the faith – it was all just a part of his plan to condemned to torture. Through all of his sufferings, he research new material to use for his comedy. continued to confess that Jesus was God. When this But a strange thing happened to Genesius as he began failed to break his spirit, Diocletian ordered Genesius be to work on his play, which was to be a comedy on Baptism. beheaded. His final words were, “Our Lord Jesus Christ is As Genesius began teaching the other actors about God and we shall have life in His name.” Baptism, he began to believe, and a desire to be baptized St. Genesius is the patron of comedians and actors. His grew within his heart. feast day is Aug. 25.
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